April 23, 2024
Technology: Remote Boat Monitoring
Apr 25, 2024 By Corbo Corbishley Just over two years ag…
April 19, 2024
So, You Need a New Prop
Being asked to contribute to an article on re-propping at this particular time was appropriate because, during a recent conversion with some colleagues, we were discussing what the most common inquiries were that we received from customers while working the boat shows, everyone agreed that propellers and re-propping was at or near the top of the list.
April 9, 2024
Marine Batteries: Types, Charging, Wiring and Set Up
Marine batteries are designed specifically for boat usa…
January 9, 2024
From the Expert: Comment from Fogh Boat Supplies on the Statement from Interlux Regarding the Discontinuation of VC17
After reading Interlux’s statement on the discontinued VC17 antifouling paint, we have prepared some of our recommendations:
September 12, 2023
Sponsored: Trim Tabs vs. Interceptors: What are the Advantages and Disadvantages?
Series E is a family of large, fast-acting interceptors…
August 22, 2023
Boat Nerd: More Improvements to Our Winter Retreat
What are some of the improvements we’ve made to our Leo…
August 9, 2023
Boat Nerd: Improvements to Our Winter Retreat
What are some of the improvements we’ve made to our Leo…
August 8, 2023
Preparing for fall maintenance
As we begin to think about the change of season that is…
July 11, 2023
Ask Andrew: Making Networks Work – It Can Be Done!
Don’t let electronics defeat you. A few years ago, I di…
June 20, 2023
Ask Andrew: Sealing the boat’s prop shaft
In any boat with an inboard engine, the machinery that…
June 7, 2023
Ask Andrew: Is Sea Speed the Answer?
Every spring, boaters gather in paint splattered overal…
May 23, 2023
Applying or Repairing Your Vinyl Boat Lettering
One of the pleasures of boating, at least for me, is re…
April 11, 2023
Zipwake Dynamic Trim Control System: FAQs
While interceptor technology for the marine industry has been around for decades, it’s still a relatively new concept to recreational boats and their owners. Imtra has been offering Zipwake interceptors since 2017, and while more and more people are familiar with the product, there are still a lot of questions.
January 10, 2023
Sail Replacement and Purchasing Process (Part 1 of 2)
For many sailors north of the snow belt, haulout means getting the boat ready for winter, which inevitably involves removing the sails. Oddly enough, winter is often the first time we really take a close look at them as we spread them out, flake and fold them. This is when we can closely inspect and spot some troublesome areas.
December 20, 2022
Keven Talks Sails: Winter Voyage Preparation
This is the time of year for planning next season’s special voyage. This may be a trip up the coast, across the lake, or multi week sail to the islands or a favorite anchorage.
November 24, 2022
Electric Yacht Conversion – Part II
This project started off in a way that many of us can relate to: Matt Bera and his family chose a boat that is perfect for them.
November 8, 2022
Maintenance with Marc: Simple & Trouble-Free Diesel Fuel System Maintenance
The fungicide also acts as a biocide and prevents bacteria & fungal growth contamination from growing in your fuel, which is a big cause of filter clogging.
October 25, 2022
Winterizing – Made Simple with Marc’s List
Last fall, a few members at my yacht club walked over and joined the exchange, which, by the way, is one of the great benefits and pleasures of being part of a yacht club or marina.
October 17, 2022
Going Electric to Cruise Lake Ontario: A family ditches the diesel
We settled Svala into what my family and I had come to think of as the most desirable anchorage on Lake Ontario, on a sunny summer afternoon. With an abandoned settlement, an old schoolhouse full of swallows, giant snakes and a rum-running past, Main Duck Island had it all.
October 12, 2022
Maintenance with Marc: Your engine mounts – do they need replacing? Part 2
Once you’ve removed everything around and opened up all accesses to the engine and prop shaft, use wood blocks under the engine to hold it in place. I used the car scissor action jack from my car. You’re not looking to raise the engine.
September 20, 2022
Maintenance with Marc: Your engine mounts – do they need replacing? Part 1
Do you have abnormal engine vibration; rubber dust around engine mounts; telltale signs of possible engine mount wear or imminent failure?
July 6, 2022
Boat DIY: Cradle adjustments can distort your boat
Last issue of CYOB, we discussed stay and shroud tension and how these adjustments can affect boat stress and even jam cupboard doors.
June 15, 2022
Repair and re-paint your deck or cockpit floor
After 27 years of sun and traffic, the cockpit floor on Aquaholic was starting to look faded and had many small pinholes and minor surface cracks.
June 7, 2022
Sail Tech: Slugs, Slides, and Boltrope
Sails are attached to the sailboat rig using several different systems. Let’s begin with mainsail. The most basic attachment is with a boltrope that fits into a mast groove. This is very secure, and the sail is very well supported along the luff edge.
May 27, 2022
Choosing a Marine Surveyor
It seems like everyone has their “guy”, usually a marine surveyor they either know personally or have been referred to by another boater (or someone in the marine or insurance industries).
April 20, 2022
Life onboard easier with a solar charging system
In a previous article, I detailed how we converted our ice box into a fridge/freezer onboard our Catalina 270. I can assure you, it is one of the best modifications we’ve made and truly classifies itself as an upgrade for both convenience and overall enjoyment.
April 6, 2022
Spring commissioning checklist – Part 2
In Part 1 last issue we looked at a lengthy list of pre-launch checks, sailboat rigging and paperwork. This time, we move on to the engine room and carry on from there. We don’t guarantee and exhaustive list – make your own and build on it every year.
April 6, 2022
Boat Nerd: DC Electrics – Part 7 – final considerations Inverters and Multimeter
Should you have 120VAC devices or appliances (vacuum, expresso maker, induction elements, wired tools) you’d like to run on your vessel when away from the dock you will need an inverter. An inverter takes in DC power and synthesizes 50 or 60Hz AC power at 120 or 220V.
April 5, 2022
How to maintain a boat’s steering cables
By keeping a boat’s steering system in proper working order, an owner can ensure that they have reliable and proper control of a boat at all times.
March 23, 2022
Spring commissioning checklist – Part 1
Everyone has their own spring ritual that often includes rooting through the basement or garage and finding the uncompleted tasks from last year.
March 23, 2022
Boat Nerd: DC Electrics – Part 6: Battery Banks – Connecting batteries in Series or Parallel
When it comes to building sizable house battery banks, you will probably need more than one battery. Combining multiple batteries in series and/or parallel will allow you to construct a larger battery banks.
March 9, 2022
Boat Nerd: DC Circuits Part 5 – Fuses
Figure 10 shows many of the fuse types commonly found on a vessel and the ones I use most commonly. (but not a complete list by any means). They differ by physical size, current capacity and AIC.
February 23, 2022
Boat Nerd: DC Circuits Part 4 – Bolted connections, current protection
Many wires on a vessel are connected via a bolted lug. ABYC standard E-11 covers normal do and don’ts.
February 8, 2022
Taking Care and Adding Years to Your Canvas
Whether you’re a powerboater or a sailor, and for those of us that have our boats hauled out and stored, winter is an excellent time to take proper care and maintenance of your canvas. Regardless of the investment that can vary greatly, we know how indispensable they are for increasing and extending the enjoyment of our beloved boating seasons.